CN111067203A - Articulated chain with concealed hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain (1) with articulated links (2) comprising an articulation (10) between a first link (3) and a second link (4) comprising tongues (9) pivoting in openings (90) between side flanges (5; 6) of the first link, which together form a double U-shaped clamp fitting, wherein, in the articulation (10), the first link (3) or the second link (4) comprises at least one external trunnion (73) or at least one internal trunnion (74) arranged to pivot in an internal half bearing seat (84) of the second link (4) or an external half bearing seat (83) of the first link (3), the second link (4) or the first link (3) comprising at least an upper portion (48; 38) and a lower portion (49; 39) arranged to enclose and conceal each external trunnion (73) or each trunnion internally Between them.

Description

Articulated chain with concealed hinge

Technical Field

The invention relates to an articulated link chain comprising at least a first link and a second link and at least one articulation between the first link and the second link, the second link comprising a tongue arranged to pivot in an opening between side flanges of the first link, the side flanges together forming a double clevis fitting (double clevis fitting).

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a chain.

The invention also relates to a piece of jewellery comprising such a chain.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a chain.

The present invention relates to the field of timepieces and jewellery, and more particularly to articulated chains for wearing watches or jewellery.

Background

Articulated chains for watches or jewelry usually comprise pins inserted through the sides, which remain visible after their assembly by press-fitting and/or gluing. Generally, their large diameter makes these pins aesthetically unpleasing, and any reduction in their size makes them difficult to assemble and disassemble. Furthermore, the housing for these pins creates an area for dirt and grease to accumulate, which is difficult to remove except by ultrasonic cleaning.

CHATELAIN, ep0243315a1, discloses an articulated link chain, in particular for watches, in which the links are articulated on elements made of extremely hard material, in particular ruby. The articulation comprises a spindle rotatable in an extremely hard element integral with the first link; the mandrel is integral with a second link adjacent the first link and includes an axial detent cooperating with a projection in the second link. The spindle terminates on both sides in a pivot that is free to rotate in an extremely stiff element. The chain link is in particular divided into two parts in the vertical direction, which parts are welded to each other once the mandrel is fixed in place with extremely hard elements.

Japanese patent document No. jps5557314u discloses an articulated chain comprising links, each formed by two complementary upper and lower half-links, enclosing an articulation mandrel.

Japanese patent document No. jp 2015029806a in the name of CASIO company discloses an articulated belt designed to allow the user to freely select and combine the quality of the material and the color of the belt segments or links.

U.S. patent document No. us1405851a in the name of legis discloses a chain with removable links that include bendable arms that hold them together.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention proposes to make a modular chain composed of functional and/or decorative parts made of various materials, without any assembly parts, such as pins, screws, etc., being visible or evident on the side of the chain, or without any insertion holes, such as holes closed after the insertion of the hinging elements, or without any means specific to the hinging parts.

To this end, the invention relates to an articulated link chain comprising at least a first and a second link and at least one articulation between the first and second link, the second link comprising tongues arranged to pivot in openings located between side flanges of the first link, the side flanges of the first link together forming a double clevis fitting, and wherein, in at least one of the articulations, the first or second link comprises at least one outer or at least one inner trunnion arranged to pivot in at least one inner half bearing seat comprised by the second link or in at least one outer half bearing seat comprised by the first link, and wherein the second link or the first link comprises at least an upper and a lower portion, said upper and lower portions being arranged to enclose and conceal each said external trunnion or each said internal trunnion between them, said chain being characterized in that in at least one of said hinge joints one said external trunnion or at least one internal trunnion is integral with said first link or said second link.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a chain.

The invention also relates to a piece of jewellery comprising such a chain.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling such a chain.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of a chain according to the invention, comprising an outer link in the form of a capital letter H, having two double-clevis fittings, each comprising two complete trunnions (trunnions), called "outer trunnions", facing towards the middle of the link and opposite each other, and each cooperating with a half-bearing seat comprised by an end tongue of the lower portion of the inner link, the inner link being shaped differently from the H-shaped link and being inserted, at the left part of the figure, into the double-clevis fitting carrying the two outer trunnions; the lower portion of the inner link here extends over half the thickness of the chain and is delimited by a plane passing through the hinge axis along which the axes of its two half-bearing blocks are aligned.

Fig. 2 shows, in a similar manner to fig. 1, the lower part of another capital letter H-link with two double clevis fittings in a configuration opposite to that of fig. 1: each clevis fitting comprises a half-bearing seat arranged to receive a complete trunnion, called "internal trunnion", comprised by the end tongue of another internal link, which is shaped differently from the H-shaped link and which is inserted, in the left part of the figure, into a double clevis fitting carrying the two half-bearing seats; this time with the lower portion of the H-shaped link extending over half the thickness of the chain and delimited by a plane passing through the hinge axis along which the axes of the two half-bearing blocks thereof are aligned.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the chain portion of the configuration according to fig. 2, in which the two inner links (here non-exclusively with the thickness of the chain) comprise complete trunnions, these trunnions being received in respective half-bearing seats of the lower portion of an H-shaped link comprising an internal illumination chamber.

Fig. 4 shows, in a manner similar to fig. 3, the same chain portion, completed by the upper part of the H-shaped link, which comprises the half bearing and is arranged on the lower part of the H-shaped link and is fixed thereon by means of adhesive bonding or the like or by attachment from a lower surface that is not visible when the user wears the chain, so as to surround the trunnions of the two inner links in a manner that is not visible.

Fig. 5 shows, in a manner similar to fig. 4, a further chain part, which corresponds to the variant of fig. 1 and which comprises H-shaped links, which here have the non-exclusive chain thickness and are provided with trunnions, which are enclosed, in an invisible manner, between the upper and lower bearing half of the inner links.

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a bracelet comprising such an alternating arrangement of outer H-shaped links and inner links, with an intermediate clasp, and end links for attaching it to a watch case or the like.

Fig. 7 shows a partial schematic plan view of a watch provided with such a chain.

Figure 8 shows a partially schematic plan view of a jewel provided with such a chain.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic plan view of a chain portion with another outer link variant with two double-clevis fittings, comprising transverse links connecting its two side flanges and comprising connecting rungs cooperating with the upper and lower half-bearing seats of the upper and lower portions of the intermediate inner links, said intermediate inner links being arranged to be placed overlapping on the rungs or in their extension.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic plan view of a chain portion with a further variant of links, all links being Y-shaped and made in two parts, one above the other.

Detailed Description

It is an object of the present invention to produce a chain having hinges that are not visible at least on the conventional visible surfaces, i.e. the upper surface and the side edge surfaces. More specifically, the invention also provides that the lower surface intended to come into contact with the skin or clothing of the user is free of any attachment or hinging elements.

The invention is explained in more detail below using conventional hinges, each of which incorporates a pivot rotatable in a bearing block or a bearing block rotatable about the hinge axis.

The principle of the invention consists in making some of the links in sections, in particular the upper and lower sections, which extend substantially on both sides of a plane passing through the axis of articulation. More generally, such two-part links define at least one cavity, such as a bearing seat, to in any case surround the male part of the mating link, such as a trunnion.

When the link is an intermediate link comprising a hinge at both ends, each upper or lower portion extends substantially on both sides of a plane passing through both articulation axes of the link. When the link is an end link having only one hinge portion at only one end, each upper or lower portion extends substantially on both sides of a plane passing through the hinge axis of the link and the engagement surface between the upper and lower portions. It will be appreciated that the links may be curved, in which case each upper or lower portion substantially follows the curve of the link, in which case the engagement surface between the upper and lower portions need not be planar.

The figures show a particular non-limiting variant in which the pivot is a cylindrical trunnion and the bearing block is also cylindrical. Of course, many other arrangements are possible, in particular the cooperation of a cylindrical trunnion with a bearing seat formed by two half-bearing seats, each half-bearing seat comprising a V-shaped bearing portion, or the cooperation of a regular polygonal trunnion geometrically inscribed in a cylinder with a cylindrical bearing seat formed by two half-bearing seats of two cylindrical profiles, in a similar but opposite manner. These examples are not limiting and the simplest machining operation may be preferred, especially for certain links made of materials that are difficult to machine.

Thus, the term "trunnion" and the term "half bearing seat" used in the following description are not limited to cylindrical geometries. In this regard, it is noted that conical embodiments may also be produced, as long as the direction of taper at each end of each hinge is reversed.

The principle of a link in several parts, in particular upper and lower two parts, is also applicable to other less common types of articulation, for example, a hinge that extends substantially along the length of the chain and comprises a ball located at the end of a pin and movable within a spherical housing, etc.

The invention thus relates to a chain 1 with articulated links 2. The chain 1 comprises at least a first link 3 and a second link 4, and at least one articulated portion 10 between the first link 3 and the second link 4. The second link 4 comprises a tongue 9, which tongue 9 is arranged to pivot in an opening 90 between the side flanges 5 and 6 of the first link 3, the side flanges 5 and 6 of the first link 3 together forming a double clevis fitting.

According to the invention, on at least one articulation 10, the first link 3 or the second link 4 comprises at least one external trunnion 73 or at least one internal trunnion 74, which is arranged to pivot in at least one internal half bearing 84 comprised by the second link 4 or in at least one external half bearing 83 comprised by the first link 3. Furthermore, second link 4 or first link 3 comprises at least an upper portion 48, 38 and a lower portion 49, 39, which are arranged to enclose and conceal between them each outer trunnion 73 or each inner trunnion 74.

In a particular embodiment of the chain 1, the upper portions 48, 38 and the lower portions 49, 39 are irreversibly assembled to each other around each external trunnion 73 or each internal trunnion 74 and cannot be disassembled. This variant allows the lower surface of the chain to be devoid of any visible attachment elements.

In another particular embodiment of the chain 1, not shown in the figures, the upper portions 48, 38 and the lower portions 49, 39 are removably assembled to each other around each external trunnion 73 or each internal trunnion 74. This variant may for example comprise a screw accessible from the lower surface of the chain, which is supported on the lower portions 49, 39 and engages with a blind internal thread comprised by the upper portions 48, 38 or any other type of similar attachment means.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, in order to reduce the number of components and the machining operations, on at least one articulation 10, an external trunnion 73 or at least one internal trunnion 74 is integral with the first link 3 or with the second link 4. Also, in one variant, the inner half bearing 84 or the outer half bearing 83 is integral with the second link 4 or the first link 3.

In another embodiment, on at least one articulation 10, the external trunnions 73 or the internal trunnions 74 are placed in the receptacles 730, 740 comprised by the first link 3 or the second link 4. Also, in one variant, the inner half bearing 84 or the outer half bearing 83 is placed in the second link 4 or in the first link 3.

In a particular embodiment, on at least one of the articulations 10, the external trunnions 73 or at least one of the internal trunnions 74 are through trunnions (cross-trunnions) and are joined to each other between the side flanges 5, 6.

Fig. 1 shows a part of a chain 1 according to the invention, comprising a first link 3, this first link 3 being an outer link of the capital letter H-shape and having two double-clevis fittings, each comprising two complete trunnions 73, called "outer trunnions", which here have surfaces of revolution, these trunnions facing towards the middle of the link and facing each other and each cooperating with a half-bearing seat 84 comprised by an end tongue 9 of the lower portion 49 of a second link 4, which is an inner link, the shape of the inner link being different from the H-shaped link and being inserted in the left part of the figure into the double-clevis fitting carrying the two outer trunnions; the lower portion 49 of the inner second link 4 extends here over half the thickness of the chain and is delimited by a plane passing through the hinge axis a along which the axes of its two half-bearing blocks are aligned.

Fig. 2 shows the opposite configuration to fig. 1, the lower part 39 of the further H-shaped first link 3 having two clevis fittings: each clevis fitting comprises a half-bearing block 83, this half-bearing block 83 being arranged to receive the entire trunnion 74, the trunnion 74 being referred to as the "inner trunnion" and here having a surface of revolution contained in the end tongue 9 of another inner second link 4, which is shaped differently from the H-shaped link and is inserted, in the left part of the figure, into the double clevis fitting carrying these two half-bearing blocks. This time with the lower portion 39 of the H-shaped link extending over half the thickness of the chain and delimited by a plane passing through the hinge axis along which the axes of the two half-bearing blocks thereof are aligned.

Fig. 3 shows such a configuration of fig. 2, wherein the two inner second links 4, here non-exclusively of the thickness of the chain, comprise complete trunnions 74, which are received in respective half bearing seats 83 of the lower portion 39 of the H-shaped first link 3, said H-shaped first link 3 here comprising a blind inner lighting chamber, or may comprise openings or additional components, in particular inlay elements, such as gemstones, stone carving (cameo), additional decorations, etc.

Fig. 4 shows the same chain part which is closed once completed by the upper part 38 of the H-shaped first link 3, the upper part 38 of the H-shaped first link 3 also comprising a half bearing seat and being provided on the lower part 39 of the H-shaped link and being fixed thereto by adhesive bonding or the like or by attachment from a lower surface which is not visible when the user wears the chain, so as to surround the trunnions of the two inner links in an invisible manner. This figure 4 shows the plane of engagement P between the upper portion 38 and the lower portion 39 of the first link 3. This non-limiting variant also shows a hole 740 of the second link 4 on the right side of the figure, arranged to receive an additional pin to form the trunnion 74.

Fig. 5 shows another chain part corresponding to the variant of fig. 1, which comprises an H-shaped first chain link 3, where this H-shaped first chain link 3 has the thickness of the chain non-exclusively, and is provided with trunnions which are enclosed invisibly between the upper and lower bearing halves of the upper and lower portions 48, 49 of the inner second chain link 4, and whose engagement plane P and bearing formed by the two bearing halves 84 on the left side of the figure are visible in the figure.

In a particular embodiment visible in fig. 9, the first link 3 is an H-shaped outer link comprising a crosspiece 91 connecting the side flanges 5 and 6, and the second link 4 is an inner link arranged to be placed overlappingly on the first crosspiece 91 or in the extension of the crosspiece 91. The first link 3 here comprises a single connecting crosspiece which replaces the two trunnions of the other variants and cooperates with the upper and lower half bearing blocks of the inner second link 4.

In a particular embodiment visible in fig. 10, the first link 3 and the second link 4 are identical and Y-shaped. More particularly, all the links are Y-shaped and are made in two parts, one upper and the other lower.

In a particular embodiment, at least one upper portion 48, 38 and/or one lower portion 49, 39 is made of ceramic.

More particularly, all of the upper portions 48, 38 are made of ceramic.

More particularly, all lower portions 49, 39 are made of ceramic.

More particularly, all upper portions 48, 38 and all lower portions 49, 39 are made of ceramic.

The invention also relates to a watch 100 comprising such a chain 1, as shown in fig. 7.

The invention also relates to a piece of jewellery 200 comprising such a chain 1, as shown in fig. 8.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling an articulated chain, wherein:

-providing a lower part of a two-part female link comprising at least one half bearing seat defining an articulation axis;

-placing a further male link on the lower portion, the male link comprising at least one trunnion able to cooperate with the half-bearing seat in a rotary bearing arrangement and to be inserted in the half-bearing seat;

-providing an upper portion of the same two-part female link, complementary to the lower portion, and comprising at least one half-bearing seat defining an articulation axis and arranged to cooperate with the trunnion in a rotationally bearing arrangement;

-enclosing each trunnion of the male link between the lower part and the upper part at least along the articulation axis;

-fixing the lower part and the upper part to each other;

-repeating this operation for each articulated joint of the chain.

More specifically, the lower portion and the upper portion are irreversibly and permanently joined to each other.

In short, the invention produces an articulated chain with invisible hinges in a simple manner.

In a particular embodiment, the two-part link, in particular the center link, encloses a male support member, such as a pin, trunnion, etc.

The two parts may be secured by adhesive bonding, press fitting, induction welding, induction brazing, or the like.

The invention is particularly suitable for manufacturing chains made of materials that are difficult to process, such as ceramics and the like.

An advantage of the invention is that there are no visible pins or any visible hinging process. This makes it possible, in particular, to use the edge of the chain for decoration.

Claims (14)

1. Chain (1) with articulated links (2), the chain (1) comprising at least a first link (3) and a second link (4) and at least one articulation (10) between the first link (3) and the second link (4), the second link (4) comprising a tongue (9), the tongue (9) being arranged to pivot in an opening (90) located between side flanges (5; 6) of the first link (3), the side flanges (5; 6) of the first link (3) together forming a double-clevis fitting, and wherein, in the at least one articulation (10), the first link (3) or the second link (4) comprises at least one outer trunnion (73) or at least one inner trunnion (74), the at least one outer trunnion (73) or the at least one inner trunnion (74) being arranged to form at least one inner half bearing seat comprised by the second link (4) 84) Or in at least one outer half-bearing seat (83) comprised by said first link (3), and wherein said second link (4) or said first link (3) comprises at least an upper portion (48, 38) and a lower portion (49, 39), said upper (48, 38) and lower (49, 39) portions being arranged so as to enclose and hide between them each outer trunnion (73) or each inner trunnion (74), said chain being characterized in that, in at least one of said articulations (10), one outer trunnion (73) or at least one inner trunnion (74) is integral with said first link (3) or with said second link (4).

2. Chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper and lower portions (48, 38, 49, 39) are irreversibly assembled to each other around each said external trunnion (73) or each said internal trunnion (74) and are not detachable.

3. Chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in at least one of said articulations (10) one of said external trunnions (73) or at least one internal trunnion (74) is placed in a housing (730; 740) comprised by said first link (3) or said second link (4).

4. Chain (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that in at least one articulation (10) one of said external trunnions (73) or at least one internal trunnion (74) is a through trunnion and joins said side flanges (5; 6) to each other.

5. Chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first link (3) is an H-shaped outer link comprising a crosspiece (91) connecting the side flanges (5; 6) and the second link (4) is an inner link arranged to be placed overlappingly on the crosspiece (91) or in the extension of the crosspiece (91).

6. Chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first link (3) and said second link (4) are identical and Y-shaped.

7. Chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said upper portions (48; 38) and/or said lower portions (49; 39) is made of ceramic.

8. Chain (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that all the upper portions (48; 38) are made of ceramic.

9. Chain (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that all the lower portions (49; 39) are made of ceramic.

10. Chain (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that all the upper portions (48; 38) and all the lower portions (49; 39) are made of ceramic.

11. A watch (100), the watch (100) comprising a chain (1) according to claim 2.

12. A piece of jewelry (200), the piece of jewelry (200) comprising a chain (1) according to claim 2.

13. A method of assembling a chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

-providing a lower part of a two-part female link comprising at least one half bearing seat defining an articulation axis;

-placing a further male link on the lower portion, said male link comprising at least one trunnion able to cooperate with the half-cradle in a rotary-bearing arrangement and to be inserted in the half-cradle;

-providing an upper portion of the same two-part female link, complementary to said lower portion, and comprising at least one half-bearing seat, said half-bearing seat of the upper portion defining an articulation axis and being arranged to cooperate with said trunnion in a rotationally bearing arrangement;

-enclosing each trunnion of the male link between the lower part and the upper part at least along the articulation axis;

-fixing the lower part and the upper part to each other;

-repeating this operation for each articulated joint of the chain.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower portion and the upper portion irreversibly engage each other and cannot be disassembled.

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